Overcoming Spiritual Walls: Trusting God's Deliverance
Summary
In our spiritual walk with the Lord, we encounter various stages of growth and development. One of the most challenging stages we face is what we refer to as "the wall." This is a period where we may feel stuck, where our spiritual practices seem ineffective, and where God's presence may feel distant. It is a time of deep spiritual testing and potential growth.
The Israelites, as we read in Exodus 14 and 15, faced a literal wall—the Red Sea. Behind them, the Egyptian army threatened to overtake them. They were trapped, with seemingly no way out. Yet, it was in this moment of desperation that God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and the waters parted. The Israelites walked through on dry ground, a miraculous deliverance that seemed impossible moments before.
This historical account serves as a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual walls. Just as the Israelites were instructed to stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord, we too are called to trust in God's faithfulness during our times of trial. Our faith is not merely about believing the right things or performing the right actions; it is about being a living soul, infused with the breath of God, and growing in relationship with Him.
The journey of the soul involves stages of growth that parallel our emotional and relational development. These stages, which we call the Christ stages, help us map out our spiritual journey and understand where we are in our walk with Jesus. As we grow, we encounter trials that test our faith, much like the Israelites did. These trials are opportunities for us to lean into Jesus, to persevere, and to mature in our faith.
When we hit the wall, it is essential to engage in practices that foster spiritual growth. Empathy, quiet prayer, and emotionally honest conversations with trusted friends or mentors can help us navigate through these challenging times. The Psalms of lament offer us a model for bringing our struggles before God in a way that is raw yet full of faith.
As we face our walls, we must remember that they are not dead ends but doorways into deeper intimacy with God. By standing still in His presence, by engaging in spiritual practices that draw us closer to Him, and by leaning into the community of believers, we can experience the deliverance and growth that God has in store for us.
Key Takeaways:
- The wall in our spiritual journey is a place of feeling stuck, but it is also a place where God calls us to stand still and trust in His deliverance. Just as the Israelites faced the Red Sea, we too face obstacles that seem insurmountable, yet they are opportunities for God to show His power and faithfulness in our lives. [39:11]
- Spiritual growth is not linear; it involves stages of development that require us to engage deeply with our faith. The Christ stages provide a framework for understanding these phases and encourage us to embrace each stage as part of our journey with Jesus. [37:25]
- Trials and difficulties are not to be shunned but embraced as they force our faith life into the open, revealing areas that need strengthening. As we lean into Jesus during these times, we find joy and perseverance that lead to maturity and completeness in our faith. [01:00:26]
- Empathy is a powerful tool for navigating through the wall. By listening to and sharing with others, we can gain insight into our own spiritual struggles and receive the support we need to move forward. This practice reflects the love and community that God has designed for His people. [01:05:50]
- Quiet prayer and reflection are essential spiritual practices that help us slow down and hear God's voice. In the stillness, we can meditate on Scripture and allow God's truth to penetrate our hearts, guiding us through the wall and into a deeper relationship with Him. [01:08:34]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 14:10-31: The Israelites' encounter with the Red Sea and God's miraculous deliverance.
- James 1:2-4: The testing of faith and perseverance.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the Israelites' initial reaction when they saw the Egyptian army approaching? (Exodus 14:10-12)
2. How did Moses respond to the Israelites' fear and complaints? (Exodus 14:13-14)
3. What specific instructions did God give to Moses to overcome the obstacle of the Red Sea? (Exodus 14:15-16)
4. According to James 1:2-4, what is the purpose of facing trials and how should believers respond to them?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Israelites struggled to trust God even after witnessing His previous miracles? ([38:00])
2. How does Moses' instruction to "stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord" relate to our own spiritual walls? ([40:02])
3. In what ways can the trials we face today be seen as opportunities for spiritual growth, similar to the Israelites' experience at the Red Sea? ([41:00])
4. How does James' teaching on trials and perseverance help us understand the purpose of spiritual walls in our lives? ([01:02:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stuck in your spiritual journey. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([36:23])
2. Moses told the Israelites to "stand still" and trust in God's deliverance. How can you practice standing still and trusting God in your current challenges? ([40:02])
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of empathy and emotionally honest conversations. Who in your life can you turn to for support during your spiritual walls, and how can you be that support for others? ([01:05:50])
4. Quiet prayer and reflection were highlighted as essential practices. What steps can you take to incorporate more quiet time with God into your daily routine? ([01:08:34])
5. The Psalms of lament offer a model for bringing struggles before God. How can you incorporate lament into your prayer life in a way that is raw yet full of faith? ([45:01])
6. Consider the concept of the Christ stages in your spiritual journey. Where do you think you are currently, and what practices can help you move forward in your relationship with Jesus? ([37:25])
7. James 1:2-4 talks about finding joy in trials. How can you shift your perspective to see your current struggles as opportunities for growth and maturity in your faith? ([01:02:10])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Deliverance at the Wall
When we encounter "the wall" in our spiritual journey, it can feel like we are facing an insurmountable obstacle. This is a place where we may feel stuck, but it is also a sacred space where we are called to stand still and trust in God's deliverance. It is a reminder that our faith is not just about the actions we take or the beliefs we hold, but about trusting in God's faithfulness, especially when the path ahead seems blocked. The wall is not a sign of God's absence but an invitation to witness His mighty power and loving presence in our lives. It is in these moments that we are encouraged to remember the story of the Israelites at the Red Sea, where God made a way where there seemed to be no way. [39:11]
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:19
Reflection: Recall a time when you felt stuck in your spiritual life. How did you experience God's faithfulness in that situation, and what did it teach you about trusting Him during difficult times?
Day 2: Embracing the Stages of Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is a dynamic process that involves various stages of development. These stages, known as the Christ stages, help us understand where we are in our walk with Jesus. They are not merely sequential steps but phases that require us to engage deeply with our faith. As we grow, we face trials that test our faith, similar to the challenges the Israelites encountered. These trials are not setbacks but opportunities to lean into Jesus, to persevere, and to mature in our faith. They force our faith life into the open, revealing areas that need strengthening, and lead us to joy and perseverance that result in a more complete faith. [37:25]
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." - 1 Peter 5:10
Reflection: What stage of spiritual growth do you currently find yourself in, and what specific trial or challenge is God using to mature your faith?
Day 3: The Refining Power of Trials
Trials and difficulties are an integral part of our spiritual journey. They are not to be shunned but embraced, as they reveal the true state of our faith. When we lean into Jesus during these times, we discover a joy and perseverance that lead to maturity. These trials are like a refiner's fire, purifying us and making us complete in our faith. They force us to confront our weaknesses and to rely more fully on God's strength and provision. As we face these challenges, we are reminded that our ultimate joy is not in the absence of problems but in the presence of Christ, who is with us every step of the way. [01:00:26]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1:6-7
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are currently facing a trial? How can you lean into Jesus and allow this experience to refine and strengthen your faith?
Day 4: Cultivating Empathy Through Community
Empathy is a powerful tool for navigating through the wall. It involves listening to and sharing with others, which can provide insight into our own spiritual struggles. By engaging in empathetic conversations, we receive the support we need to move forward. This practice reflects the love and community that God has designed for His people. As we open up to others and allow them to speak into our lives, we find that our burdens become lighter, and we gain a clearer perspective on the challenges we face. Empathy builds bridges and fosters a sense of belonging, reminding us that we are not alone in our journey. [01:05:50]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
Reflection: Who can you reach out to today to share a struggle you're facing, and how can you offer a listening ear to someone else in need of empathy?
Day 5: Finding God in the Stillness
Quiet prayer and reflection are essential practices for spiritual growth, especially when we hit the wall. These practices help us slow down, quiet our minds, and hear God's voice. In the stillness, we can meditate on Scripture and allow God's truth to penetrate our hearts. This guides us through the wall and into a deeper relationship with Him. It is in the quiet moments that we often find clarity and peace, as we set aside the distractions of life to focus solely on God's presence and His will for our lives. [01:08:34]
"But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him." - Habakkuk 2:20
Reflection: How can you incorporate quiet prayer and reflection into your daily routine, and what specific Scripture will you meditate on to seek God's guidance through your current spiritual wall?
Quotes
1) "We all experience times of stuckness in our journeys with Jesus in our spiritual life, and we want to give you a map of your journey with Jesus, your spiritual life that relates to your emotional growth as well." [37:25] (Download | )
2) "Sometimes our prayers aren't being answered the way we want, when we want, or we're going through spiritual dryness, or there's a crisis in our life or in our family." [39:11] (Download | )
3) "The way through the wall is the inner journey, the 'I' stage in the Christ stage, and remember that's the shovel stage where we need to dig down deeper." [01:05:50] (Download | Download cropped video)
4) "Empathy is huge for getting through the wall. We need like we're doing with our kids with the peak and pit around the table and sharing and listening to each other and praying for each other." [01:05:50] (Download | Download cropped video)
5) "Another spiritual practice that is really helpful is quiet prayer. Sometimes we're just too busy and we need to slow down and we need to reflect." [01:08:34] (Download | )
6) "Rejoice in your trials, lean into the white waters, lean into the difficulty, to be precise, lean into Jesus in the midst of the difficulty." [01:00:26] (Download | )
7) "The Lord will fight for you, and you need to only stand and be still. That's a lot of what faith is, we stand still in God's presence, we worship the Lord." [40:39] (Download | )
8) "The word of the Lord was stand still and you will see the deliverance of God and so much of faith is that standing still, that waiting in God's presence." [43:51] (Download | )
9) "Your journey and mine has stages to it, just like we grow physically through stages developmentally, we also grow spiritually, emotionally, relationally through stages." [45:35] (Download | )
10) "The Lord is a warrior, a warrior is his name. There is strength and power and holiness and great glory in God and he will fight for us against evil, against demonic oppression." [43:51] (Download | )
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